How to Train for a Social Worker Career

A career in social work offers both challenges and rewards.

People who choose social work as a career believe their interactions with clients can contribute to the well-being of society. The focus of social work is to improve the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of clients. The development of the social worker skill set requires a college degree. Meeting state social work practice license requirements is mandatory in a social work career. Post-bachelor-degree training may be needed, depending on the chosen specialty area. There can be great personal and professional rewards that evolve from the challenges a social work career offers.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's in Social Work degree (BSW)
• Individual state license, certification, or registration
• Supervised field instruction or internship
• The following are optional:
• Masters in Social Work Degree (MSW)
• Advanced Generalist Level Social Work training
• Clinical level Social Work training
• Doctorate Social Work degree (DSW) or (PhD)

Instructions

1. 

   A BSW degree is necessary to get a beginning level social work job.

   Earn a bachelor's degree (BSW) to meet the minimum education requirement to become a social worker and do direct service. Education-portal.com reports with a BSW "you will be qualified for entry-level generalist social work practice, and you'll have the foundation you need to enter a master's in social work program." Social work can be practiced with individuals, families, and groups.

2. 

   Each state has specific requirements in terms of licensing and certification.

   Taking written exams is one of the requirements for becoming a certified social worker. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says, "All states and the District of Columbia have licensing, certification, or registration requirements regarding social work practice and the use of professional titles. Meeting requirments for ongoing continuing education is also necessary. Contact your local National Association of Social Worker (NASW) office for details.

3. 

   An MSW degree sharpens and expands the skill set of a social worker.

   Obtain more advanced training in social work by getting a master's degree (MSW). Help develop skills in your chosen field of study. The BLS describes an MSW program as a place "to develop the skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, and explore new ways of drawing upon social services to meet the needs of the clients."

4. 

   MSW programs combine classwork with field study.

   Complete ongoing coursework in conjunction with a field placment getting your MSW. The social worker is in a work setting doing direct field work with clients. This placement is a critical aspect of social work career training. This is an opportunity to work in a setting chosen by the social work student working directly with a selected population under the guidance of a trained expert. Field placement's should be carefully chosen to maximize this educational opportunity. It takes a minimum of two years to complete this type of program.

5. 

   A social worker can continue to train after obtaining an MSW.

   Continue your academic studies at post graduate social work practice levels. Education-portal.com says they are "Advanced General Level: Requires a master's degree with two years of post-master's supervised experience; and a Clinical Level: Requires a master's degree with two years post-masters direct clinical experience." Supervision, training, and learning are ongoing throughout a social work career.

6. 

   A doctorate in social work is a career option for those who teach or do research.

   Achieve a doctorate degree, a PhD or DSW, which is the highest academic level a social worker can obtain. WorldWide Learn, the directory of education points out "College and University teaching positions and most research appointments normally require a doctorate in social work."

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Tips & Warnings

• According to the BLS, as of June 2009 the Council of Social Work Education "accredited 468 bachelor's program, 196 Master's programs. The Group for the Advancement listed 74 doctoral programs in Social Work in the United States."

References

• Education-Portal: Social Worker: Summary of Career Training for Social Workers
• Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition: Social Workers
• WorldWideLearn: Social Workers